Fear Not!

 Like everyone, I have known fear in my life, and for the first twenty-five years of my life, I allowed

fear to completely rule me. Fear was a constant companion of mine in childhood (which could not be helped), in my teenage years, and in my young adult years. It even followed me into adulthood for a short while. I can't say that I have overcome fear completely, but I no longer allow it to rule me. The biggest reason is because my focus has shifted, and that focus grows more acute with each day that passes. However, the most important reason for this is because of my heart's recognition of the root of fear. Yes, fear is the absence of faith, but it goes so much deeper than that - far deeper than most of us know or understand.

These are crazy times in which we live. They are also prophesied times. Satan and his minions are raging in the hearts, minds, and souls of many. He is always looking for an entry point, always looking for a weakness in us. Fear and corruption are his business, and we flawed human beings are regular cash-paying customers. We give him plenty of business and his demonic helpers are never idle on the job. So many of us think we can handle the adversity Satan dishes out on our own and we forget to call upon God for heavenly assistance. Or when we do pray, at times, it may not be with our whole heart because of fearing that our prayers won't be answered. For me personally, whenever fear was present in my heart while praying, it was defeating to my spirit, and the phrase "Thy will be done" became void. It wasn't until I learned to pray without fear of not having my prayers granted that "Thy will be done" really began to settle into my heart.

Just as Satan has completely been unleashed to rampantly spread evil in the world, so, too, has fear spread like a plague - and indeed, it IS a plague, one that is a constant struggle to fight, and sadly, it is taking over and darkening the world at an increasing pace. The adversary thrives on fear. It gives him power, and he in turn bestows that power on those he corrupts, thereby strengthening the enmity of the willing wicked against those who are striving to be righteous. He is his own government and has been enslaving minds and hearts for eons.

God is the author of faith, Satan, the author of fear. And since faith is far more powerful than fear, it stands to reason that no matter how strong the storms may rage or how many darts the adversary fires at us, if we stand with the Lord in faith, allowing Him and the hosts of heaven to do battle for us, Satan and the powers of darkness will have no place in us. AND HE WILL LOSE!

Now, some may not like what I am about to say, but I'm only writing what the Lord has impressed upon my heart for a very, very long time now, and I cannot fear what others think, so please, don't throw darts at the messenger. It's not about me. It's never been about me. It's about the Lord and His work. It's about stepping up and speaking out. It is about letting our light shine and glorifying the Lord in word, deed, and every aspect of our lives. Again, I am not judging. I judge no man, not even myself. So . . . what I need to say is simply this:

The time of separating our personal life from our professional life is over, as are the days of Sunday-only Christianity. If we are true followers of Christ in our personal life, those beliefs should merge with our professional life. So many speak of Christ at home, but are terrified to share anything about Him or even speak His name to anyone in the workplace. And I'm not talking about jumping up on an office desk, donning a robe and staff and preaching hellfire and damnation. (I love the prophets of old, but I don't think I could pull off that look, not to mention the hair! :-)) I'm talking about little opportunities that God presents us with here and there to be an example, to allow the Lord's countenance to shine though our own, to be true Christians to the best of our ability. To strive to follow in His ways in the workplace or business setting.

AND TO DO IT WITHOUT FEAR!

We are about to be tested in ways that are unimaginable. Some of us already are. And if we don't have the courage to stand as witnesses of God in whatever circumstance we may be in now, how will the Lord be able to use us to help others through the metaphorical flood? How will we have ears to hear the spiritual cries of help of others or eyes to see suffering beyond our own? How will we even hear His voice amidst the chaos?

The Lord loves us with a love beyond our understanding. I feel His love for me every day, but even I cannot grasp the magnitude of it. I pray for the day when I will, but until then, all I can do is be watchful and prayerful and try to use what gifts He has given me to glorify Him. Because as I said, it's not about me. It's about Him and His work.

May we all go forward with faith, giving no place to fear except the fear of God, and let that fear in the Lord increase and strengthen our faith.

Faith in Him is where true power lies.

Happy Sabbath!

Letting the Lord Lead

How grateful I feel to be where I am in this life - to be on the earth at this great and terrible time! This is

an amazing time to be alive! It is a time of learning, growing, strengthening, purification, and sanctification. And none of these things would be possible without the Lord's atoning sacrifice, and without His love and tender mercies. In good times and bad, I can feel His presence in my life continually. The Lord knows I would be lost without Him, and when I submit to Him fully, He always meets me where I am and places me exactly where I need to be, to enable me to grow in areas that I need growth. I know my progression is never ending and I never want to fight His will for me. I've fought that fight too many times in the past, attempting to lead Him instead of allowing Him to lead me. During those battles, the lessons were sometimes brutal, but I learned, and I will continue to do so.

I never want to run ahead of the Lord, so now, I do my best to let Him lead. His intended destination for me is far greater and far more grand than my own, and I will follow Him, no matter what valleys His path leads me through, because I know I will never have to make the journey alone.

None of us will.

Happy Sabbath!

A Sunday God

 Something I have worked on for a very long time - years actually - is living my beliefs every day,

which means worshipping God all day every day, and not relegating deep worship to Sundays only. It also means taking every opportunity placed before me to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Living the gospel is not a part-time responsibility, and we shouldn't be picking and choosing a lower level of obedience during the week and a higher level on the Sabbath. God is NOT a Sunday God. Yet how many of us treat Him as such?

The Lord, Jesus Christ doesn't just want our deep praise on Sunday only, He wants it 24/7, and with all He and the Father have done for us, that's not asking too much. It's nowhere near enough! They watch over us, care for us, and comfort us according to our needs - and righteous desires - every day of the week. God is our 24/7 God, and the Lord is our 24/7 Savior. They don't take a break in Their care for us, so why should we think we are entitled to a break from worshipping and giving praise to Them? We must draw closer to the Father and the Son all day every day. They are our Guides and the roadmap to eternal salvation. The Lord is the way through the mounting tribulations, and walking in His path will lead us back to the Father.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." ~Isaiah 12:2

This scripture describes exactly, the feelings I strive to keep in my heart at all times and in all things and in all places. And though I am a flawed human being and fail constantly, exaltation and a permanent place with my Savior is my goal and I can settle for no less. Even the thought of not obtaining that indescribable freedom pains me greatly. So I choose to stay focused.

I pray that we will also stay focused and make every day a day of worship, and always put the Lord first.

Happy Sabbath! :-)